The Team Behind the Summit
The Philippines World Massage Summit is brought to life by a passionate team of massage therapy professionals, educators, and event specialists dedicated to producing a world-class experience.
Organized by Practitioners, for Practitioners
The Philippine World Massage Summit (PHLWMS) was initiated by Al Poliarco, an international massage championship gold medalist, educator, and author of Chavuttidhara™, together with a dedicated organizing committee of world massage champions, experienced international competitors, respected championship judges, and massage educators from around the world. Inspired by their collective experiences participating in and judging international massage championships, the committee shares a common vision of creating a world-class event that celebrates excellence, promotes education, encourages innovation, and elevates the massage profession in the Philippines. The PHLWMS is committed to providing a welcoming platform where therapists can learn, compete, exchange ideas, receive constructive feedback, build lasting international connections, and proudly showcase Filipino talent on the global stage while fostering friendship, professionalism, and unity within the worldwide massage community
From the competition floor to the judging panel, every aspect of the summit is designed with the competitor in mind, ensuring a safe, professional, and unforgettable experience for participants from around the world.
Meet the Committee
Al Poliarco
Al Poliarco is a Filipino-American licensed massage therapist, international massage championship gold medalist, educator, author of the Ashi Sutra and Chavuttidhara training programs, Ashiatsu DeepFeet Bar Therapy Instructor, and creator of The Travel Bars. Passionate about advancing the massage profession, he founded the Philippine World Massage Summit to unite practitioners from around the world through education, friendly competition, cultural exchange, and professional collaboration.
Ana Kawamura
Ana Kawamura is the owner of AN'NA Wellness & Spa and a dedicated professional in the field of wellness and massage therapy. She has been recognized as a Wellness Ambassador and received the Best Wellness & Spa Award. In 2025, she participated in the World Massage Association World Tour held in Singapore and earned Overall 2nd Place at the 2025 Philippine National Massage Competition. She also competed in the 2025 Holistic Massage Championship in Singapore, where she won the Deep Tissue Massage (Oil Category) and received the Best Decoration Award. Additionally, she was a Top 5 Finalist in the Asian Freestyle Category during the 1st Edition of Newma Phuket, further demonstrating her commitment to excellence and innovation in massage therapy.
Joel De Leon Capistrano
Joel De Leon Capistrano is a retired Master Teacher who dedicated his career to teaching Physical Education at both the high school and college levels. With more than 30 years of experience, he served as a Provincial and Regional Trainer and Coach for Sepak Takraw while also working as a dance teacher and choreographer specializing in Philippine folk dances. He holds National Certification II (NC II) in Massage Therapy and Hilot Wellness Massage, demonstrating his commitment to promoting wellness and professional massage practice. To further enhance his knowledge and understanding of international massage standards, he participated as learner observer in several prestigious events, including the Singapore Massage Championship (February 2025), the NEWMA Asia Massage Championship in Phuket, Thailand (January 2026), the Philippine International Massage Championship (April 2026), and the Asia Massage Championship in Japan (June 2026).
Susan Barg
Susan Barg is an accomplished massage therapist and internationally recognized competitor with multiple award-winning achievements. She is a three-time Gold Medalist in Freestyle Eastern/Barefoot Massage, a Silver Medalist in the Asian Inspired category at the European Massage Championship, and a Bronze Medalist in Tandem Ashiatsu/Wellness at the Canadian Massage Summit. In addition to her competitive success, Susan is a certified DeepFeet Ashiatsu Instructor, dedicated to advancing barefoot massage techniques and sharing her expertise with massage professionals around the world.
Mary Krupp
Mary Krupp is a licensed multi-specialist, international massage championship judge, and accomplished wellness professional with more than 23 years of clinical experience. She is a licensed massage therapist, licensed esthetician and full specialist, certified cosmetic surgery lymphatic therapist, advanced Thai massage practitioner and instructor, certified yoga instructor, and certified vibrational sound therapist trained under a Grandmaster lineage. She has also pursued advanced sound healing studies under the mentorship of two Sound Healing Masters and completed immersive training in Bali. As the owner and operator of a private wellness spa for over 12 years, Mary has established a respected destination for therapeutic treatments, holistic care, lymphatic therapy, advanced bodywork, and post-operative recovery services. Her professional background also includes extensive experience in luxury hospitality, providing high-level wellness services at five-star resorts, exclusive private clubs, and premier spa environments. Internationally, she has served as a judge at the 2025 World Massage Championship in Istanbul, the 2026 Multicultural Massage Championship in Istanbul, the 2026 United Illinois-Wisconsin Massage Championship in the United States, the 2026 International Sport Massage Championship in Greece, and the 2026 Colores de Mi Tierra International Massage Championship in Argentina. She has also been formally invited as an international expert to judge championships in İzmir, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Bali. In 2027, she will serve as a co-organizer of the Philippine Massage Championship and Summit, helping promote professional excellence, international collaboration, and the continued growth of the global massage and wellness industry.
Shalom E. Pojas
Shalom E. Pojas is a certified massage therapy professional dedicated to promoting excellence in wellness and therapeutic bodywork. She holds National Certification II (NC II) in both Massage Therapy and Hilot Wellness Massage, demonstrating her commitment to professional standards and continuous learning in the field. Shalom has expanded her international exposure by participating in prestigious massage events, including the Singapore Massage Championship (March 2025) and the NEWMA Asia Massage Championship in Phuket, Thailand (January 2026). Her involvement in these international competitions reflects her passion for advancing her skills, embracing global best practices, and contributing to the continued growth of the massage therapy profession.
Arnold Pornea
Arnold Pornea is the Founder of Sabaidee ThaiYoga Massage Center and creator of the Kru Arnon Thai Stretching Mobility Flow concept. An internationally certified Thai Massage educator, he holds teaching certifications from the International Training Massage School, Chiang Mai, and the Thai Yoga & Healing Art Training Center, Bangkok. A TVET Trainer and Assessor, International Massage Judge, and Bronze Medalist on his first attempt at the 2025 Southeast Asia Massage Championship for the Freestyle category, Arnold is dedicated to advancing authentic Thai Massage education and developing globally competitive therapists.
Grace Cabrejas
Grace Cabrejas is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Our Lady of Fatima University in the Philippines, Class of 1997. She is a certified and internationally licensed massage and spa therapist with extensive experience in therapeutic massage and wellness services. Since 2024, she has been working as a Spa Therapist at Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Taormina, Italy, where she was recognized as Employee of the Month in both 2024 and 2025 and became one of the resort's most requested therapists for deep tissue massage. Her professional training includes Swedish Massage from DIABASI in 2019, Vodder Manual Lymphatic Drainage from TAO Scuola Nazionale in 2021, and Reflexology from Evolution Academy in 2025. She also participated in the Touch of Venus Online Massage Competition in Singapore.
Herbert Aguirre
Herbert Aguirre is a TESDA trainer and assessor, licensed professional massage therapist, and holistic wellness expert with extensive experience in therapeutic practice, training, and competition judging. He is an active member of the Community-Based Trainers Association of Bulacan and was recognized as Best Trainer in Hilot Wellness by the Taiyo Institute. He is also a certified bone setter and acupuncturist. His notable achievements include winning a bronze medal at the International Online Massage Championship and representing the Philippines as an official competitor at the Touch of Venus competition in Singapore. He has served as a judge in the first, second, and third Regional Philippine Massage Competitions, as well as in events organized by the World Massage Federation. He also participated in the M1 Grand Prix of the World Massage Federation.
Paloma
Paloma is an Ilokana, Filipina from Honolulu, Hawai'i. She has been a licensed massage therapist since 2020 and is passionate about learning, teaching, and healing. In 2020 she opened her own business, Maluhia Massage Therapy, where she practices culturally traditional, intentional styles of massage therapy. Paloma is also a Filipino folk healer who offers Traditional Hilot services passed down from her ancestors. She currently holds 10 massage championship titles at the state, national, and international levels — all acquired within just 9 months.
What Guides Us
Integrity
We uphold the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and professionalism in every aspect of the summit.
Excellence
We are committed to delivering a world-class event that reflects the best of the massage therapy profession.
Passion
We are practitioners ourselves, we organize this summit because we believe in the power of therapeutic touch.
Community
We build lasting connections between practitioners, educators, and wellness advocates worldwide.
Reach the Organizing Committee
Have questions about the summit? Our team is happy to assist with registration, sponsorship, judging inquiries, and more.
Ready to Be Part of History?
Join us in Manila for the first-ever Philippines World Massage Summit, where world-class massage meets Filipino hospitality.